Acute Upper Thermal Limits of Three Aquatic Invasive Invertebrates: Hot Water Treatment to Prevent Upstream Transport of Invasive Species

Abstract

Transport of aquatic invasive species (AIS) by boats traveling up rivers and streams is an important mechanism of secondary spread of AIS into watersheds. Because physical barriers to AIS movement also prevent navigation, alternate methods for preventing spread are necessary while allowing upstream navigation. One promising approach is to lift boats over physical barriers and then use hot water immersion to kill AIS attached to the hull, motor, or fishing gear. However, few data have been published on the acute upper thermal tolerance limits of potential invaders treated in this manner. To test the potential effectiveness of this approach for a planned boat lift on the Fox River of northeastern WI, USA, acute upper thermal limits were determined for three AIS, adult zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), and spiny water fleas (Bythotrephes longimanus) from the local area employing temperatures from 32 to 54°C and immersion times from 1 to 20 min. Mortality was determined after immersion followed by a 20-min recovery period. Immersion at 43°C for at least 5 min was required to ensure 100% mortality for all three species, but due to variability in the response by Bythotrephes a 10 min immersion would be more reliable. Overall there were no significant differences between the three species in acute upper thermal limits. Heated water can be an efficient, environmentally sound, and cost effective method of controlling AIS potentially transferred by boats, and our results should have both specific and wide-ranging applications in the prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Invaders in hot water: a simple decontamination method to prevent the accidental spread of aquatic invasive non-native species

“…Zebra mussels, killer shrimp and bloody-red mysid were randomly selected from the tank to prevent bias towards particular sizes. Only those swimming normally (killer shrimp, bloody-red mysid) or siphoning water and responding to stimuli (zebra mussels) were used in the experiment (Beyer et al 2010 ). Zebra mussels ranged in total length from 8.0 to 22.0 mm (median 16.0 mm), killer shrimp ranged from 8.7 to 20.9 mm (median 11.2 mm) and bloody-red mysid ranged from 10.5 to 13.8 mm (median 12.5 mm).…”

“…Previous studies indicate that hot water can also cause 100 % mortality in zebra mussels ( D. polymorpha ), quagga mussels ( Dreissena rostriformis bugensis ) and the planktonic lifestage of spiny water fleas ( Bythotrephes longimanus ) (Beyer et al 2010 ) as well as the invasive diatom didymo ( Didymo germinata ) (Kilroy et al 2006 ) suggesting potential efficacy of this treatment across a range of taxonomic groups. Whether the 45 °C/15 min protocol is effective across multiple INNS, including plants, remains to be tested however.…”

“…Thermal control is considered to be one of the most efficient, environmentally sound and cost effective methods by which to prevent the accidental spread of aquatic INNS (O’Neill and MacNeill 1991 ; Beyer et al 2010 ; Stebbing et al 2011 ; Perepelizin and Boltovskoy 2011 ). Preliminary research conducted by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) indicated that submersion in hot water at 45 °C was sufficient to cause 100 % mortality in D. villosus within 15 min (Stebbing et al 2011 ).…”

Recreational angling as a pathway for invasive non-native species spread: awareness of biosecurity and the risk of long distance movement into Great Britain

“…In addition to promotion of the CCD campaign, greater clarification is still required on the appropriate methods for cleaning equipment. The use of hot water is increasingly considered to be one of the most efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods for cleaning equipment and clothing (Beyer et al 2010;Perepelizin and Boltovskoy 2011;Stebbing et al 2011;Sebire et al 2018). Disinfectants such as Virkon Ò Aquatic and Virasure Ò have also been proposed as effective approaches to decontaminate equipment and small watercraft (Coughlan et al 2018;Cuthbert et al 2018).…”

Zoochorous dispersal of freshwater bivalves: an overlooked vector in biological invasions?

“…Similarly, the upper thermal limit of D. bugensis is likely between 25 and 36°C (Spidle et al, 1995). However, warm water (>15°C) acclimated D. polymorpha can survive water temperatures up to 40°C for between 20 and 75 minutes, depending on the rate of temperature increase (McMahon and Ussery, 1995;Spidle et al, 1995;Beyer et al, 2011) and therefore, may survive rapid passage through the avian gut if exposed to minimal abrasive damage. Accordingly, both fish and waterbird consumer species which are not acclimated to the presence of bivalves within their diet may potentially facilitate a dispersal event.…”